The Problem of Food Waste at Home
According to nutritionist Andrea Moctezuma, poor organization while purchasing food can lead to unnecessary waste within households.
Figures from the World Bank indicate that Mexico wastes around 20.4 million tons of food annually, which accounts for approximately 34% of the nation’s production. This loss also results in wasting 40 billion liters of water, enough to supply the Mexican population for two years and four months.
Tips to Prevent Food Waste at Home
Moctezuma recommends implementing the “first in, first out” method for managing stored food. This means consuming older or soon-to-expire items first, a practice common in the restaurant industry that helps minimize food waste.
“I believe we have a poor relationship with food, wanting to keep everything full to feel like there’s food available when in reality, we should first finish what we have,” emphasizes the expert.
Moctezuma also suggests maintaining an inventory of reserves and shopping with a list, purchasing only what is needed. She further recommends organizing the refrigerator properly: fruits and vegetables in drawers, dairy products and delicate items in the central area, and beverages or sauces on doors.
Regarding hygiene, she advises against reusing packaging from products like yogurt or cheese, as it can cause cross-contamination. Therefore, she recommends acquiring airtight containers specifically designed for safe food storage.
Reducing Waste: Economic and Social Impact
Daniel Tapia Sánchez, General Director of the Mexican Network of Food Banks, highlights the urgency of reducing food waste as discarded food could help combat hunger in the country.
“In Sinaloa, more than 20 million tons of food are wasted annually in agricultural fields, enough to eradicate food poverty in almost half the country,” he pointed out.
Reducing food waste not only improves family economics but also decreases polluting emissions and ensures a better distribution of food among the population.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the issue with food waste at home? Poor organization while purchasing food can lead to unnecessary waste within households, contributing to significant financial and environmental losses.
- How can I prevent food waste at home? Implement the “first in, first out” method for managing stored food, maintain an inventory and shop with a list, organize your refrigerator properly, and avoid reusing food packaging.
- Why is reducing food waste important? Reduced food waste can help combat hunger, improve family economics, decrease polluting emissions, and ensure better food distribution among the population.
